Thread cutter and clamp for buttonhole-sewing machines.



F. ZALESKI.

THREAD CUTTER AND CLAMP FOR BUTT'ONHOLE SEWING MACHINES. APPUCAIION F'HED'JUNE I. 1914.

1,152,464. PatentedSept. 7, 1915.

'3VSHEETSSHEET 2.

InvenTor. FrunK ZalesKi,

Wiiin'csses.

"CHRIS PETERS. "M3,v LI'I'HO.v WASMINRTBII. 0ft.

F. ZALESKI.

v THREAD CUTTER AND CLAMP FOR BUTTONHOLE SEWlNG MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1. 1914.

1 1 52,464, Patented fiepm. 7; 12%,

Witnesses. I 'nveniw.

Maw Fran "subject of the Emperor ZALESKI, OF SQMERVILLE, BUTTON HOLE MACHINE COMPA PORATIONIOF MAINE.

MAssAcHUsE'rirs, Assionon TO THE nsncn NY, or sos'roiv, MASSACHUSETTS, A 001% THREAD CUTTER AND CLAMP FOR BUTTONHOLE-SEWING MACHINES.

To all whom it may concern: Y Be it known that I, FRANK ZALESKI, a

of Germany, residing at Somerville, county of Middlesex, State of- Massachusetts, have invented an 1 Improvement in Thread Cutters and Clamps the edge stitches on a .give a proper for'Buttonhole-Sewing Machines,- of which the following description in connection with-the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like characters on the drawing representing like parts. 7

- This invention relates to buttonhole sewingmachines of that typewhich comprise an upper thread mechanism and an under thread mechanism that cooperate to producebuttonhole, and the principal object/of the invention'is to provide novel means for cutting both the under and the upper threads ,upon' completion of the buttonhole. Means are also provided for clamping. the severed end of the under tll'read so'that when the stitching ona fresh buttonhole is started, it will not be necessary for'theoperator to draw out a length of the under thread and hold the latter while the first loops are being formed.

In orderto illustrate my invention and understanding thereof I have shown it as it would be applied to a buttonhole sewing machine of'the type commonly known to the trade as the Reece machine. Examples of the so-called f Reece machine may be found in Letters Patent: No. 19 L380, March 28. 1893;

No. 4 98,216, May 1893; No. 655,637, August 7 ,1900. As will be seen by reference to the above-cited patents, sewing-machines of this type comprise a clamp frame in which the work is clamped and. a so-called stitch frame carrying an upper thread mechanism .for manipulating the upper thread,

and which" is usuallv in the form of a. straight eye-pointed needle, and an'under thread mechanism (or, 'as it is sometimes called, a complemental stitch-forming mechanism) for manipulating the under thread, said under thread mechanism including a curved eye-pointed. needle carrying the under thread and which cooperates with 'the upper needle to concatenate the edge stitches of the buttonhole. In these machines also the stitch frame and the clamp frame are mounted for movement relative to each other, and means are provided whereby Specification of Letters Patent.

cutting device which is the following United States Patented Sept. '7', 1915.

Application filed June 1, 1914. a Serial No. 842,278.

when the machine is started said stitch frame and clamp frame first have a relative movement by which the work clamped in the clamp frame is brought into proper'position to have the buttonhole stitched by the upper and under thread mechanisms, and then have such a relative movement as to cause the stitch-forming mechanism to stitch around the edge of the buttonhole, after which said two frames have another relative movement to return the parts to their initial position with the stitched buttonhole removed from the stitch-forming mechanism. During the stitching of the buttonhole, the upper and under thread mechanisms have a turning movement to enable the edge stitches to be formed around the ends of the buttonhole.

I have provided herein a novel threadrendered operative by the relative.movement of the stitch frame and the'clamp frame after the buttonhole has been completely stitched to sever not only the under thread but also the loop of needle thread which is formed by the usual lo oper as the needle rises fromthe work. This thread-severing mechanism is secured to the clamp frame and operates beneath the work. The device herein shown is also provided with a threiul-clamping device Iw'hich is automatically rendered operative at the completion of the buttonhole for clamping the under thread and holding the severed end of under thread until the stitching 'on. the: next buttonhole is begun so that the stitching operation may proceed with- 1 out the necessity of the operator taking hold of'the severed end of the under thread and holding it while the first few stitches are being formed.

In order to give an understanding of the invention I have illustrated herein a selected embodiment thereof which will now be described after which the-novel features of the invention will be pointed out in the ap pended claims In the drawings, Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a portion of a buttonhole sewing machine of the type shown in said Patents So. 494,280, No. 493,216. and No. (355,637, said View showing the under thread mechanism in front elevation; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the clamp frame carrying the work clamp .in a sewing machine of the above type and showing my improved thread cutter; Fig.

3 is an underside view of the clamping plates shown in'Fig. 2; Fig. at 1s a side view of a portion of the under thread mechanism showing a controlling device for the stop cord; Fig. 5 1s a plan view partly in section of the stay cord grip; Fig. 6 is a side View of the throat-plate of the under thread mechanism havinga thread -clamp applled thereto: Fig. 7 is a top plan view of Fig. 6; Fig.

8 is a section on the line I -6, Fig. 6; F ig.

is a section on the line 1/- I Fig. 2.

I have not deemed it necessary to lllustrate herein acomplete sewing machine of as the general construction and operation of a sewing machine of this type are'well known 25.

the type illustrated in said above-mentioned patents, but have shown in the drawings only such portions of the machine as my improvements apply to.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention my improved thread cutter is mountedon and associated with the clamp plates by which' the work is clamped, and

v,clamped in position. This clamp frame is also provided with; nopening 6 through i which the-"stitching mechanism operates to apply the edge stitches to the buttonhole.

The stitch frame which carries-the upper and under thread mechanism is only partially shown inthe drawings and may have the construction illustrated in the above-mentioned patents and which. comprises an overhanging arm in which operates the upper needle 7 and the portion 8 situated beneath the clamp frame. and in which the under thread mechanism is rotatably mounted. In the type of sewing machine herein illustrated 'this un der thread mechanism comprises a block 9 rotatably mounted in the portion 8 of the frame and carrying at its upper end a throat-plate 12 provided with an opening 11, a curved needle 10 movably mounted on th block and operating through the opening 11 and which cooperates with the upper needle 7 to concatenate. the edge stitches of the buttonhole. and other necessary operat ing parts to effect the buttonhole stitching operation, but which it not "necessary to describe herein in detail V lVhile the ()PQliLlllOIl, of buttonhole sewing machines of the type herein illustrated is familiar to those skilled intlre art, 'yet in orderto' give a proper understanding of'iny present invention; I would state-that when the sewmgmachine is at rest ready to receive the work, the stitch frame and clamp frame have such a relative position that the throat-plate 12 of the under thread mechanism is situated in front of the opening 6 of the clamp plate, as'shown in Fig. 2. When the work is inserted in the clamp frame and the sewing machine is started the stitch frame and clamp frame move'relative to each other first in a direction to bring the throat-plate beneath the aperture 6 thereby bringing the upper and lower needles into position to operate through said anism having a turning movement in the stitch frame at the proper time to effect the stitching around the ends of the buttonhole, and when the buttonhole stitching is completed and the stitching mechanism brought to rest said stitch frame and clamp frame have another relative movement to bring the parts back into the positionshown in Fig. 2. The present invention embodiesa novel means which is rendered operative during'this latter relative movement of the stitch frame and clamp frame to out not i only the under thread, but also the loop of needle thread which is formed by the usual looper as the needle rises from the work.

he thread-cutting means herein shown comprises a thread cutter 30 pivoted to the clamp plate 2 at 31 and provided with a cutting edge adapted to cooperate with a cutting block 33 carried by the clamp plate 2. This cutter operates adjacent the clamp plate and beneath the work, and means are provided for rendering it operative to out both'threads atthe end of the stitching operation. I propose to provide meansrendered operative by the above-described relative movement of the stitch frame and clamp frame for actuating the cutter 30, and the construction herein shown constitutes a. practical device for this purpose. The cutter 30 has an arm 34 extending therefrom provided witha projection which extends through a slot 36 formed in the clamp plate 2. nected to a lever 37 by means of a spring 38. The lever 37 which is pivoted to the under side 'of the clamp plate 2 atv 380, has pivotally connected thereto at 39 a bar 40 that is adapted to be engaged and actuated l) v. a finger 42' extending from the portion 8 of the stitch frame as the stitch frame and clamp frame move relative to each other. The bar 40 :isrshown as having a laterallyextendingarm H to which is connected oile end of'a" spring 41. the other end of the spring being. secured to a clamp plate 2. said spring acting normally to hold the partsin their inoperative position. The bar 40 and this projection is conalso provided with a plate 46 having at one end a head 47 which is engaged by the finger 42. When the buttonhole has been completed and the stitch frame and clamp frame begin their relative movement into the position shown in. Fig. 2 the bar-40 will occupy thedotted line position Fig. 3, and during such relative movement the finger 42 comes into engagement with the head 47, thus moving the bar 40 to the left, Fig. 3, and through the spring 38 operating the cutter 30 to carry the cutting edge 32 thereof against the cutting block The connection 38 constitutes a yielding, connection between the cutter and its actuating means, so that when the cutting edge 32 comes against the block, the spring 38 will yield during the final movement of the bar 40, thus preventing any injury to the parts.

The construction I have herein shown is such that after the thread has been cut and before the termination of the relative movements of the stitch frame and clamp frame the finger 42 is carried out of engagement with the head 47, thus allowing the spring 41 to throw the cutter into its inoperative position, which position it assumes when the parts come to rest. As herein shown, the bar 40 is provided with a cam surface 49 which is adapted to engage a projection 50 formed on the clamp plate as the bar is moved by the finger 42, the engagement of the cam 49 with the projection 50 causing the bar 40 to move laterally sufficiently to carry the head 47 out of engagement with the finger 42. The head 47 will thus be automatically disengaged from the finger 42 after the thread has been cut and before the parts of the sewing machine come to rest.

The device herein shown is also provided with threadclamping means which are "associated with the under thread mechanism and by which the under thread is clamped just prior to the operation of the thread cutter, the severed end of the thread being held clamped until the stitching operation on the next buttonhole is commenced. The advantage of the thread clamp is .that'it holds the severed end-of the under thread automatically and without any attention on the part of the operator so that when the stitching operation is started up the first stitches will be formed correctly. When no thread clamp is provided it is necessary for the operator to seize the severed end of the under thread and hold it during the formation of the first stitches, but'the presence of the. thread clamp prevents this extra operation on the part of the operator. The thread clamp throat plate 12.and is best illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. The throat-plate 12 has the usual opening 11 therein through which the needle of the under thread mechanism operates and rotatably mounted on the upper plate closing one side of the opening 11. For thus carrying herein shown is associated with the vided with the under member 17 and upper member '18 which are connected by a hub 19 in which'the opening 11 is formed, and the clamping member 13 is rotatably mounted on the hub 19 between the upper and under members 17 and 18. The upper member 18 is provided with the clamping shoulder 15 above referred to. The clamping shoulder 14 of the clamping member 13' is formed by making the latter with a recess 20, one side of which constitutes a clamping edge 14. The clamping member 13 is nor ma-lly yieldingly held in the position shown. in Fig. 7 with the recess 20 covered by the 18 and with the edge 22 thereof yieldinglyholding the clamping plate in this position I have provided a spring. 21, one end of which is fastened to a projection 23 extending from the clamping plate, and the other end of which is fastened to a shoulder 24 formed on the portion 17 of the throat-plate, and a stop 25 secured to the clamping member 13 and engaging a shoulder 26 formed on the portion 17 of the throat-plate, said spring 21 normally holding the stop againstv the shoulderand the stop serving to properly position the parts. -When the buttonhole has been stitched and the stitching frame and clamping frame are moving relative'to each other into the full line position shown in Fig. 2, means are rendered operative to turn the clamping member 13 into the position shown in Fig. 8, thus the recess 20 out from under the edge 15 of the part 18, and when this occurs the under thread-will drop into the recess 20. After the thread has entered the recess 20 the clamping member is released and the spring 21 operates to bring the parts into the position shown .in Fig. 7 thus clamping the under thread 16 between the shoulders 14 and 15. After the thread is thus clamped it is out between the throatplate and the work by the cutter 30 as above described, and the severed end ofthe thread will thus be retained between the clamping shoulders 14 and 15. The means herein illustrated foroperating the clamping mem ber comprises a projection 28 extending from said clamping member and a cooperating shoulder 29 formed on the clamp plate 3, said shoulder being so positioned that when the parts are moving from the dotted line position Fig. 2 to the full line position, the projection 28 will engage the shoulder 29, thus turning the clamping member into the position shown in Fig. 8, continued rela tive movement of the stitch frame and clamp frame causing the projection 28 to wi tneshoulder 29 to'allow' the clamping member to return to its normal position under the influence of the spring 21 and thus clamp the under thread between the shoulders 14:

and 15. The end of the under thread 16 will remain thus clamped until after the, stitching operation is again begun on another buttonhole, so that when the under needle is'first projected through the opening 11 in the formation of the first stitch of the other buttonhole, as seen in Fig. 6, the end of the under thread is firmly held while the first loop is formed therein through which the upper needle 7 is inserted. The lfi'stitching, therefore, proceeds without the waste of any under thread due to the necessity of drawing out-the end of the thread, and without the necessity of the operator holding the severed end of the thread. This clamping member per se is not claimed herein but claims therefor will be found in my co-pending application Se. N 0. 864,187, filed Se temb'er 29,1913. 1

- making buttonholes it is customary to lay a stay cordor filling thread around the iodge ofthe buttonhole over which the butfitonhole stitches areformed, and I have heregin illustrated a clamping device for this stay cord which permits it to be readily fed for v ward as needed, but will prevent it from being pulled backwardly. The stay cord'is shown at 52 and is arranged to pass upwardly through the stitch block 9 in a manner similar to the under thread 16. This improved clamp is associated with the stitch block 9 and comprises an arm or member 53 which is secured to the stitch block and hasits upper end curved, as at 54, and provided with a combined cord guide. and

clamp comprising two members 55 and 56 pivoted to the upper end of the member 53.

The member 55 which is pivoted at 57 is formed with anaperture 58 through which the stay cord passes and with an opening 59 'in which the'nose 60 of theclamping member 56 operates. The member 55 is acted on by a spring 61 which tends to hold it in the position shown in Fig. 5. The stav cord is fed through the device in the direction of the arrow. a, Fig. 5, and as it is fed forward the two gripping. members and i 56 swing forwardly sufficiently to rele'a se the grip on the stay cord and allow it to move freely forwardly. If, however, the stay cord is drawn backwardly, the latter is gripped byvthe projection and is prevented from.

backward movement. The part 53 is shown as having two projections 65 which limit the swinging movement of theclamping members 55 and 56. This means for con trolling the stay-cord is not claimed herein, but is made the subject of a separate application filed by me on November 6,1914, Se. N 0. 870,697.

It-will be noted that in the embodiment -ried by saidunder thread mechanism and the under thread, and means to sever said under thread mechanism and rendered oper-- clamp is carried by the stitch frame, the cutter is carried by theclamp frame, the cutter and clamp being separate from each other.

While I have illustrated herein a selected embodiment of my invention I do not wish to be limited to the constructional features 15 shown.

. I claim: 7 I

1. In a sewing machine, the combination with upper thread mechanism ahd under thread mechanism mounted for bodily rotative movement and having thread-manipulating means, of means to sever the under thread at the completion of a stitchingoperation, and under-thread-gripping means carpartaking of the bodily movement thereof and situated to'engage said thread; between i the cutting means and, the thread-manipulat-- ing means. j 2. In a buttonhole sewing machine, the combination with a clamp frame, of a stitch frame havin upper thread mechanism and under threa mechanism including; a throat- .plate mounted for bodily rotative movement, said frames being capable :of movement relative to each other, means upported by the throat-plate and rendered operative upon the completion of a buttonhole to grip thread. V

3. In a buttonhole sewing machine, the combination with. a clamp frame, (if a stitch frame having upper and under thr ad mechanism the latter being mounted foiturningmovement in the stitch frame and said. frames being capable of movement relative to each other, means carried by an, turning with the under thread mechanism-and rendered operative upon the completion of the 1 buttonhole to grip the underthr'ea between said under mechanism and the" work, and means to seversaid thread. i 4. In a buttonhole sewing machine,- the combination with a clamp frame def a stitch frame having upper thread mechanism and under rotatable thread mechanism, said frames being capable of movement relative to each other, means associated with and partaking of the rotative movement of the ative upon the completion of the buttonhole: to grip the under thread between said under thread mechanism and the Work, and means .to sever said thread between the gripping means and the work.

5. In a buttonhole sewing machine, the combination with a clamp frame, of a stitch. frame having upper and under thread mechanism,.said frames being capable of movement relative to each other, means, carried by the stitch frame and renderedoperative upon the completion of the'buttonhole' to grip the under thread between said under thread mechanism and the work, and means carried 'by the clamp frame to sever. the

under thread.

6. In a buttonhole sewing machine, the combination with a clamp frame, of .a stitch frame having upper and under thread mechanism, said frames being capable of movement relative to each other. means carried by the stitch frame'and rendered operative upon the completion of the buttonhole to grip the under thread between said under thread mechanism and the work, and means carried by the clamp frame and rendered operativeby the relative movement of the clamp frame and stitch frame to sever the under thread.

7.. In a sewing mach1ne,-the combination with a clamp frame and a stitch frame capable of movement relative to each other, of

stitch-forming mechanism sustained by the stitch frame, an under thread clamping mechanism carried by the stitch frame, a

l ead cutter carried by the clamp frame cutting the under thread, and means to actuate said cutter and underthread clamping mechanism.

8. In a sewing machine, the combination with a clamp frame and a stitch frame capable of movement relative to each other, of stitch-forming mechanism sustained by the stitch frame, an under-thread-clamping mechanism carried by the stitch frame, a thread cutter carried by the clamp frame, and means to operate said cutter and thread clamping mechanism by relative movement a of the two frames.

9. In a buttonhole sewingmachine, the combination with'a clamp frame, of two clamp plates carried thereby, a stitch frame havingstitch forming mechanism, said frames being mo 'z ble relative to each other, a thread cutter .pivotally mounted on one of the clamp plates, an actuating finger carried by the stitch frame, and means asso-.

ciated with the cutter and adapted to be engaged by said finger whereby the cutter is operated. by relative movement of the two frames.

10. In a buttonhole sewing machine, the combination with a stitch. frame having stitch-formingmechanism and an actuating finger, of a clamp frame having provision for clamping the work, said stitch frame and clamp frame being capable of movement relative to each other, a thread cutter mounted on the clamp frame, and an actuating member-connected to the thread cutter and situated normally in position to be engaged by said finger during the relative movement of the two frames upon comple tion of the buttonhole.

- 11. In a buttonhole sewing machine, the

combination with a stitch frame having stitch-formmg mechanism and an actuatmg finger, of a clamp frame having provision for clamping the work, said stitch frame and clamp frame being capable of movement relative to each other, a thread cutter mounted on the clamp frame, an actuating member connected to the-thread cutter and situated normally in position to be engaged by said finger during the relative movement of the two frames upon completion of the buttonhole, and means to disengage said member from the finger when the thread is I severed.

1Q. Inna buttonhole sewing machine, the

combination with a stitch framev "511mm;-

stitch-forming mechanism and air actuating finger, ofa clamp frame having; provision for clamping the worln'said stitch frame and clamp frame being capable .of 11lovement relative to each other. a thread cutter mounted on the clamp frame. flan actuating member connected to the thread" cutter and work, said frames being capable of move ment relative to each 0thcr,: o f a thread cutter on the clamp frame, an "actuating member movably mounted onlthe chimp frame and )iehlingly connected to said cnttcr, and means associated with the stitch frame for engaging said actuating member and operating the cutter during the relative movement of said frames. 1

14. In a sewing machine, thecombination with a clamp frame having provision for" clamping the work, 'of an "oscillatoryv thread cutter movably mountedthereon; a cutting block coi'iperating with the cutter, an actuating member pivotally connected to the clamp frame, a spring connection.between said actuating member and cutter for transmitting power from the former to the latter, means for ope ating the actuating member, and a spring forretnrning'the cutter to its initial position.

15. In a sewing machine, the combination with a clamp frame having provision for clamping the work, of a cutting block, an oscillatorythread cutter pivotally mounted on the clamp frame and adapted to be moved I toward and from the cutting block, an actuating member also 'pivotally connected to the clamp frame, a spring connection between said member and the cutter through which power is transmitted from said mem ber to the cutter, means to give said actuat ing member a quick forward movement thereby to cause the cutter to have a correspondingly quick cutting movement, and a spring to return said cutter and actuating member to normal position.

16. In a sewing machine, the combination with a stitch-forming mechanism including upper and-under thread mechanism, of a clamp frame,, two clamp plates sustained thereby, a cutting block secured to oneclamp plate, an under thread cutter pivoted to said clamp plate and adapted to cooperate with said block to cut the under thread, an actuating-device for said cutter, and a yielding connection between'said actuating device and the cutter.-

i 17. In a sewing machine, the combination with a clamp frame having provision for clamping the Work, of a stitch frame having stitcheforming mechanism, said frames being capable of movement relativeto each other, an oscillatory thread cutter mounted on the clamp frame, an actuating member 'pivoted to the clamp frame, a spring connection between said member and cutter,

and means operative during the relative movement of said frames to move the actuator thereby giving the cutter itsoperative movement andthen to release the actuator.

18.. In a sewing machine, the combination with a framehaving upper thread mechanism and under thread mechanism including a throat plate,'said under thread mechanism being mounted for bodily rotative move ment, of means supported by the throatplate and rendered operative upon the completion of a predetermined stitching operationto grip the under thread, and means to sever said thread.

19. In a buttonhole sewing machine, the combination with a frame having upper 21. In a buttonhole sewing ma-chine,'th combination with a stitch frame having stitch-forming mechanism, of a clamp frame having provision for clamping the work, said stitch frame and clamp fram'ebeingcapable-of movement relative to each other, a thread-cutter mounted on the clamp frame, an actuating member connected to the thread. cutter, and means carried by the stitchframe and-adapted during the relative movement of the frames to move the actuating member V to cause it to give the cutter its operative" movement and then to release said actuating member thereby to permit the cutter to assume its inoperative position. I

22. In a buttonhole sewingmachine, the combination with upper :and under thread mechanism which are mountedforturning movement to effect the stitching around the end of a buttonhole, of under-threadgripping mechanism mounted to turn with the under thread mechanism, means to sever the 8 under thread upon completion. of a buttonhole, and means to operate the thread-gripping device first to grip the under thread just prior to the severing thereof and then to release said thread after commencement of the stitching operations on the next buttonhole.

23. In a buttonhole sewing machine, the combination with work-holding means, of

an under thread mechanism capable of turning about an axis perpendicular to the work and; provided with a'throat-plate having a thread-clamping edgefiof a clamping mem ber rotatable on said throat-plate and provided' 'with a cooperating clamping edge,

means to' actuate said clamping member to clamp the under thread between said edges -upon the completion of a. buttonhole, and

thread mechanism and under thread mechanism, the latter being mounted for turning movement in the frame, of mean-s carried by and turning with. the under thread mechanism and-rendered operative upon the completion of a buttonhole to grip the under thread between said under thread mechanism and the work, and means to sever said thread.

20. In a buttonhole sewing machine, the combination with a frame having upper thread mechanism and under rotatable thread mechanism, of means carried by and partaking of the rotatable movement of said under thread mechanism and rendered operative upon the completion of a buttonhole 'to grip said'under thread'between the under thread mechanism and the work, and means to; sever said thread between the gripping means and the work.

means to severthe thread between the where it is clamped and the WOllC.

24. in a-buttonhole sewing machine, the

combination with work-holding means, of

point ,an under thread mechanism capable of turntwo subscribing witnesses.

FRANK ZAL'ESII.

Witnesses:

LOUIS C. SMITH, Trxoams J. DRUM'BIOND. 

